Chapter 17: Bounty

1.6K 50 5
                                    

We are in Shady Belle now. I've kept Dutch from meeting Angelo Bronte for now, but Dutch is not one to lie low. He's started talking about Tahiti, and I think it's time to go.

I don't want to leave any family behind, and I'm worried about leaving Lenny, too. He's real sick now, and we still don't know if he's going to make it.

--------------------------

As Arthur rode through the streets of Saint Denis, he kept his eyes peeled for three people: Brother Dorkins, Sister Calderon, and Rains Fall. The former two would be easy to find in the city, but he had no idea if Rains Fall was here. As much as Arthur wanted to see the man again, he hoped that the situation with the Wapiti Reservation was better this time around.

Unfortunately, it wasn't. He came across Rains Fall and Eagle Flies standing with the writer, Evelyn Miller.

"Mr. Miller, this is a good friend, Arthur," Rains Fall introduced. "Mr. Morgan was the one who warned us of the men seeking to take our land."

"Ah, yes, you knew of the survey," Mr. Miller said. "Unfortunately, the men came and have written up a report. They are claiming that huge reserves of oil are under their land! But I don't have the proof."

Arthur met Rains Fall's eyes, the same thought passing between them. This was the start of it all.

"Perhaps I can help."

"How?" Miller asked.

"Let's just say I have a talent for acquiring certain items."

"We will pay you very handsomely, Mr. Morgan," said Rains Fall, but Arthur shook his head, an idea forming.

"I don't want your money, but there might be something you can help me with."

Eagle Flies spoke up for the first time. "I told you, they are all the same."

"I'm trying to go west, trying to get some people west as well, but we can't go through Blackwater. Do you know of any safe way north through the Grizzlies?"

"There are some paths. They are long and difficult, some you can't take wagons, but it is possible, yes."

"I might ask you to show me some of those routes, if it's alright."

Rains Fall nodded. "Meet my son up at Citadel Rock in a few days, west of the oil fields."

With some time to spare, and no intention of helping with Dutch's plans, Arthur headed north to check in with Hamish Sinclair.

The veteran sat on his porch, cleaning his gun when Arthur arrived, and waved him over. "Arthur! How are you? I got your letter, and your money."

"Good to see you, Hamish. Want to go hunting?"

"Sure! There's a bear that's been in this area for a few weeks now, and I haven't had the chance to go after him yet."

"Let me grab my gun!" They rode around O'Creagh's Run, tracking a bear that turned out to be gigantic! Not as big as the one he took down with Hosea, but not one Arthur would want to meet alone in the woods. As they skinned the beast, Arthur told Hamish the story of the scarred bastard that almost ate him and Hosea, and even Hamish remembered him.

"I never got the chance to go after that monster, glad you got him. What did you do with the pelt?"

"Sold it to the local trapper. Got sixty bucks for it. Someone probably made a rug out of him."

"Well, I'm going to mount this guy on my wall," Hamish said as they returned to the cabin. "Want some coffee?"

They sat and talked for a while. Hamish passed over an enormous sum of money, asking, "Who did you capture to earn that?"

Arthur's Redemption [Red Dead Redemption 2]Where stories live. Discover now